Page 134 of Wicked Villain

“That’s my father for you.” I bite the inside of my lip.

I had my first kiss on my sixteenth birthday with one of Papa’s guards. His name was Andreas. He was eighteen and handsome. I don’t know how Papa knew where we planned to meet, but he did. Andreas barely kissed me before Papa shot him in the back. Andreas was still alive when I saw him being taken away, but I didn’t see him again after that. And no one spoke of him.

“I’m truly sorry.” Her shoulders drop. “Wow. There I was, thinking my dad was a nightmare.”

“Pretty sure he’s not like mine.”

“No. He’s not. It breaks my heart you didn’t get to live a little. How are you feeling about Lev?” Anushka presses her lips together and gives me a wistful stare, as though she’s actually rooting for us as a couple.

“I’ve never met anyone like him before. I… like him.” I think like may be a bit of an understatement, but I’ll go with it.

“Lev is… a complicated guy. Of all of us, his brothers included, he had a tough upbringing and went through more than anyone else.”

Those few lines are a hell of a lot more than what I know about my husband. “What did he go through?”

She’s silent for a moment, then she sighs. “When he was twelve, he watched his mother and sister being gunned down in front of him.”

I gasp, my chest tightening. “What?”

“His home was attacked. Everyone inside was killed. He was the only one who made it out alive. But he didn’t exactly escape. He was shot trying to save his sister and ended up in a coma for over a year.”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “I… I didn’t know.” When Zoya told me Lev’s mother and sister died in an accident, I never thought it was something like this. And Lev… He was shot. At twelve years old? No wonder Zoya reacted that way. “My God.”

“It was so horrific not many people speak about it.”

“That’s understandable.” Damn it, I understand now why he is the way he is. Almost soulless. “Were the people ever caught?”

“No.”

“I feel so awful. And… now my father has added to that pain.”

At the mention of my father, a look of discomfort washes over Anushka’s face. “Your father is just one of those people who are in a class of their own.”

Since she knows so much, I decide to ask the question that’s been ravaging my mind for weeks. “Anushka, do you know what my father did to Lev?”

The grave look that enters her eyes is enough of an answer. “I do.”

My lungs burn and the heat spreads through my body. “What was it?”

Her shoulders drop. “I can’t tell you. I shouldn’t even know myself. I found out by accident.”

“Please, I really deserve to know.”

“Yes. I completely agree with that. You should know. I’d be pissed as fuck if what happened to you happened to me. But… it’s not my story to tell.” She places her hands flat on the table, suddenly looking defeated. “Lev should be the one to tell you.”

“He won’t.”

“I think he will.” She nods and smiles faintly. “Just give him time.”

If this were weeks ago, I would have assumed she was withholding because she’s loyal to Lev. But as I gaze at her, I can see it’s not that at all. If anything, she’s more loyal to me.

And now I think what my father did was so terrible that even Anushka, who I consider the gossip queen, would hold her tongue.

As for giving Lev time, I don’t know how much I have. If Mama’s plan works, I could be gone before Lev returns. Then I guess I’d never know what Papa did.

“I understand,” I tell her.

“Good. No more talk of this. Let’s eat.” She offers up a gentle smile and taps my knuckles. “How about I treat you today? Does the double chocolate, hot chocolate, and the coffee and walnut cake special sound good?”